Cabinet desk



CABINET DESK Filed Sept. 9, 19-32 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

WILHELM J.MICHELET April 25, 1933.

W. J. MICHELET CABINET DESK ELET RNEY.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR. WILHELM J. MI

Filed Sept. 9, 1932 Patented Apr. 25, 1933 UNITED STATES! WILHELM J. MICHELET, F WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS CABINET DESK Application. filed September This invention relates to a combination desk which embodies a multiple desk con struction convertible at will into a full height writing desk, a convenient typewriter desk and a childs desk, and which embodies adequate and convenient shelving and rack space both below and above said desks. My invention relates particularly to the economical and practical triple desk construction. wherein the desks are so pivoted with respect to each other and the desk proper that any two thereof are out of the way when the third is being used or in positionfor use.

An important object of my invention is the provision of, a multiple desk embodying a plurality of desks which, when closed, are in superposed and partially interfitting po sition to each other, and which are of different convenient height in usable position,

' namely, an adults writing desk; a typewriter desk, and a childs desk. i

A further important object of this invene tion is the provision of a. combination desk for a plurality of desk portions at diiferent planesconvenient for difi'erent uses wherein two of said desk portions are pivoted on the same multiple hinge whereby they may be tilted either separately or together into or out of workingposition.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combination desk having a plurality of pivotally mounted writing panels which are superposed in different planes when inworking position,-and two of which panels are hingedly connected to each other and also to the table.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combination desk having a plu rality of hinged writing panel surfaces which 'are in different planes, and a plurality of front doors constructed and positioned so that they will selectively or in combination serve'as rigidsnpports for the various panels when any thereof are in workingposition.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a combination desk having a plurality of pivotal writing panels which, whenin working position, are in difierent 5 planes; whichmay be used selectively; and which panels, when elevated, form a useful 9, 1932. Serial No. 632,287.

and presentable portion of the complete cab.- inet.

A furtherobject of my invention is the provision of a. cabinet having a pair of front, hingedly mounted compartments or racks which form closure members for the front of the cabinet and which are so pivoted and constructed that when. open, they support one or more of the writing panels in position.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a writing desk having a plurality of pivotally mounted desk panels, the central panel comprising a box-like receptacle having shallow side drawers adapted for convenient mounting of a typewriter, and the upper panel being adapted to. form a closure for said central panel and to provide a working surface;

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the Specification andthe accompanying drawings.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and. hereinafter more fully described. I V

On. the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my combination desk showing the upper writing desk. and the typewriter desk in partially elevated; position, with the childs desk fully covered Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my combination desk with all the writing desk panels in a position wherein the uppermost desk is used. I

Fig. 3 is a view of the combination desk in closed position. i

Fig. 4: is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the double hinge and showing the manner of pivoting the two upper desk panels.

As shown on the drawings:

' The reference numeral 10 indicates a cabi net preferably made of wood and. partially comprising parallel side walls 11', a back 12 and atop 13, alllof which are jointed to: 9 gether in the relative positions shown in the drawings in a well known manner by gluing adjacent edges, by a plurality of screws and nails, or other well known means. The cabinet is divided into two ormore main lower magazines, newspapers or the like.

compartments 14 and 15 by a partition wall 15 which is securely positioned in a horizontal position between the side walls 11 of the cabinet. A partition wall 16 forms the ceiling of the compartment 15 and separates said lower compartments from upper parts of the cabinet, as shown in Fig. 1.

The upper end of each of the side walls 11 have the forward side thereof cut off diagonally and at an angle to the side and upper edges of each of said panels, as clearlyshown in the drawings, the upper part of the diagonal edge of each of said Walls 11 being recessed to form an intermediate shoulder as shown.

The forward edge of each of the side walls 11 below the horizontal partition 16 are cut away to form a rectangular recess as shown in the drawings, and the front of the cabinet below said'horizontal partition 16 is closed by a pair of opposing doors 17 and 18 which I will now describe. The doors 17 and 18 may be ordinary flat panels, but in the preferred form shown in the drawings each door comprises a fiat panel, a narrow mounting strip 20 secured perpendicular to said panel, and a pair of integrally formed racks or pockets 19 which are superposed above one another to provide convenient receptacles for Each of these doors 17 and 18 are hingedly mounted as hereinafter described and so that narrow strips 20 fit within their respective recesses in the forward edge of the side walls 11 of the cabinet. The doors 17 and 18 are hingedly mounted with respect to the side walls 11 by means of elongated hinges 21, the straps of whichare respectively secured to the forward edge of the cut out portion of each of the side walls 11 ofthe cabinet and the strips 20.

A rectangular desk panel 22 is mounted at a height most convenient to serve as a childs writing desk by means of a pair of hinges 22 to the forward edge of the wall panel 16, the hinges being secured'on the upper surface thereof to permit only upward arcuate movement of said panel 22. Each of the doors 17 and 18 are of a height so that when open they will support the writing panel 22 in working position. The partition wall 16 and the panel 22 are preferably at a height of 24 or 25 inches from the floor or other cabinet supportingsurface.

An important feature of my invention is a rectangular desk portion 23, which comprises a bottom panel 24, a back panel 24 and side panels 25 jointed together as shown in the drawings in a well known manner. Said desk portion 23 has its said back 24 secured by suitable screws to the central strap of a triple strap hinge 27, the rearmost strap of said hinge being secured to the edge of a horizontal stationary panel 26 which is secured between the side walls 11 parallel to and a short distance above the partition wall 16. The stationary panel 26 is comparatively narrow and its forward edge and said hinge 27 is in such a position that the desk portion 23 and its attached parts as hereinafter described may be tilted upwardly in an arcuate direction within the desk so that the bottom panel 24 will form a complete closure for the upper part of my cabinet desk, the under side of said panel 24 becoming the outer surface of said closure. The triple hinge 27 is in such a position that when the desk portion 23 is tilted upwardly, a part of the ends of said panel 24 fit between and coincide with the forward diagonal edges of the side walls 11 while the upper part of the ends of said panel project laterally and lie against said side wall edges. The panel 24 therefore forms a complete closure for the entire front of the cabinet from the top thereof to the apices formed by the vertical and diagonal front edges of the cabinet sides. The desk portion 23 is held in closed position by its own weight, due to the position of its hinged connection just de scribed. \Vhen in lower working position the desk portion 23 rests upon the panel 22 and is indirectly supported by the doors 17 and 18. A portion of said hinged connection is clearly shown in Fig. 4, and a perspective view is shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig.3, a lock 29 is secured in the forward edge of the bottom panel 24 which is adapted to engage a suitable recess in the under side of the cabinet top 13 to lock the cabinet in closed position.

A writing panel 28, preferably of the same area as the bottom panel 24 of the desk portion 23, has its rearmost edge secured to the foremost strap of the triple strap hinge 27, a portion of which connection is shown in Fig. 4. It will be apparentthat the horizontal panel 28 is so mounted as to form a hinged cover for the desk section 23 and that either this upper panel or the desk section 23 may be used selectively at will depending upon the height desired. The height of the panel 28 is preferably thirty-one inches so as to present the most convenient writing. surface desired, and it will be apparent that its use will not require removal of a typewriter or other equipment which may be on the desk portion 23. It will also be apparent that both the desk portion 23 and the panel 28 will be moved upwardly at the sametime to close the desk.

While in the foregoing I have described the most important elements of my invention, in the preferred form shown in the drawings I disclose the use of a pair of relatively shallow rectangular compartments which are constructed on opposite sides and within the desk portion 23. Drawers 30, which are of a size adapted to fit within said compartments, are. slidable in said compartments respectively. The width of these compartments and drawers is preferably such as to leave ample space therebetween to conveniently mount a typewriter or the like.

A pair of compartments similar to those just described and each containing a slidable drawer 31 may be secured on the under surface of the writing panel 28 and at opposite ends thereof and so that when said writing panel 28 is in working position the respective drawers 30 and 31 will be in adjacent superposed position. A closure panel 82 is secured perpendicularly to the foremost edge of the writing panel 28 and between said compartments, said panel being adapted to close the space between the drawers 30 of the desk portion 23 when in working position.

The upper compartments of my cabinet desk above the plane of the writing panel 28 contain slidable drawers 33 and a plurality of spaced apart shelves 84 which are secured at their ends to the walls 11 and supported in perpendicular spaced apart relation by strips 35 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be apparent that I have provided a combination desk and cabinet which may be economically manufacture-d and which is novel and practical and which presents three convenient working surfaces at planes of different heights which may be used selectively. Further, my cabinet desk construction presents such three working surfaces, certain of which may be tilted upwardly in an arcuate position out of the way to form a closure for a portion of the front of the cabinet, while the lowermost panel may be raised to close a portion of the front of my cabinet desk below that portion closed by one of the upper panels.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of the invention and construction thereof may be varied through a wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not desire to limit the patent granted thereon otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim asmy invention:

1. In combination, a cabinet and desk furniture unit, a stationary partition therein; a triple strap hinge having its rearmost strap secured on said stationary partition; a writing panel secured to the foremost strap of said hinge, and a desk portion comprising a pair of panels secured in perpendicular relation to each other, one of said panels being secured to the intermediate hinge strap.

2. In combination, a cabinet and desk furniture unit, a stationary partition therein; a triple strap hinge having its rearmost strap secured on said stationary partition; a writ ing panel secured to the foremost strap of said hinge; and a desk portion comprising a pair of panels secured in perpendicular relation to each other, one of said panels being writing panel and said desk portion. being adapted to lie. in difierent planes. A

3 v In a combination desk having an upper cabinet, a stationary partition; a triple strap hinge having its rearmost' strap secured on saidstationary partition; a riting panel secured tothe foremost strap ofsaid hinge and a desk portion comprising 'a pair of panels being secured in perpendicular relation to each other, one of said, panels being secured to the intermediate hinge strap, said writing panel and the lower panel of said desk portion being adapted to normally lie in different parallel planes, said Writing panel and desk portion being independently tiltable for selective use and said desk portion being adapted to form a closure for the cabinet when tilted to, uppermost position. r v

'4 A combination furniture unit comprising a cabinet havinga plurality of horizontal partitions forming a plurality of compartments;a pair of doors hingedly mounted on the sidesof said cabinet adapted toclose the lowerportion of the cabinet front; a panel hingedly mounted on thefront of said cabinet and adapted to be lowered to horizontal position and forming a closure member for a portion of said cabinet a. pair of interfitting desk portions, each, having a pair of drawers, hingedly connected together and to said cabinet to provide working surfaces at different planes and adapted to be used selectively, and to be tilted upwardly within said cabinet either selectively or together, said doors form-, ing a reinforcing support for said panel and said desk sections.

5. A combination furniture unit comprising a cabinet having a plurality of horizontal portions forming a plurality of compartments; a pair of doors hingedly mounted on the sides of said cabinet adapted to close the lower portion of the cabinet front; a desk panel hingedly mounted on the front of said cabinet and adapted to be lowered to horizontal position and when elevated forming a closure member for a portion of saidc'abinet, either of said doors forming a support for said panel; a Writing desk section having rear and side panels and being hingedly pivoted to said unit, anda second desk panel hingedly secured to the edge of the rear panel of said desk section, both of said desk portions being secured by a double hinge to the cabinet, said panels and said desk section being partially supported by said doors.

6. A combination furniture unit comprising a cabinet having a plurality of horizontal partitions forming a plurality of compartments; a pair of doors hingedly mounted on the sides of said cabinet adapted to close the lower portion of the cabinet front; a panel hingedly mounted on the front of said cabinet and adapted to be lowered to horizontal position to rest upon either of said doors, and

secured to the intermediate hinge strap, said when elevated, forming a closure member for a portion of said cabinet; a writing desk section having rear and side panels and being hingedly pivoted to said unit, and a second desk panel hingedly secured to the edge of 5 the rear panel of said desk section, both said desk section and second desk panel being secured by a double hinge to the cabinet, said desk section and its attached desk panel being tiltable upwardly to close the upper portion of the front of said furniture unit, said doors and said first mentioned panel forming a support for said desk section and second mentioned desk panel.

7 In a combination'furniture unit, a cabinet having a plurality of horizontal stationary partitions; a lower panel hinged to one of said horizontal partitions adapted to be tilted upwardly to form a closure for a portion of the front of said cabinet; a pair of 29 doors adapted to close the front of said cabinet below said hinged panel, and a box-like desk section hinged to one of said horizontal partitions and tiltable upwardly from a hori zontal working position to form a closure for the upper portion of the cabinet front, said doors forming a support for said lower panel and for said desk section.

8. In a combination furniture unit, a cabin, net having a plurality of horizontal sta- 30 tionary partitions; a lower writing panel hinged to one of said horizontal partitions adapted to be tilted upwardly to form a closure for a portion of the front of said cabinet; a pair of doors hinged to the cabinet sides and adapted to close the front of said cabinet below said hinged panel and to support said panel; a box-like desk section hingedly mounted to said desk in a position to be lowered to present a working surface above said writing panel; a fiat top panel hinged to said box-like desk section adapted to present a higher working surface when in lower position, said desk section and said top panel being selectively tiltable within said desk, and said desk section forming a closure for the front of said cabinet, said first mentioned panel forming a support for said desk section. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of Sept, 1932, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

IVILHELM J MICHELET. 

